dafuge's FM08 small club to big club challenge

[Gundo]

Originally posted by cookie15:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MachinegunHead:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Matt6:

cheers, will give it a try once i get all this uni work done

Tell me about it! Exams are interrupting my Dafuging. Will be done on Saturday though, and knowing my luck the new patch will be out on Friday.

Just a question to all those who have had new stadiums built... have any of them been named after you, or have they all gone to players so far? Regardless, I'd love to hear the names of them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

In FM07 doing Gundo's challenge i managed to get a stadium named after me! It was called the Evan Cook Park and had a capacity of 62,000. It was located in a little town called Skjetten </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

A different world then from your old stadium pictured Here.

[3Sixty]

Mine just got called Chippenham Stadium.

I already need a new one or a rather large expansion, 13,000 is rather crap for the premiership.

[Gricehead]

Life at the New Manor Ground - Season 2

2009/10 in the Blue Square North. November and December update.

I've petitioned the board for an official change of the club nickname from The Robins to The Swallows, because they always **** off for the winter. I'm fuming so much with the drop of form over this period that I really am not going to write any more general blurb here.

November

The month started well. We hammered Witton away and nicked a draw against Hinkley at home, which other than being the wrong way round (in terms of location and relative strength of opposition) was fine. Then we entered the usual cup fixture period, disposing of a strong Harrogate side in the Setanta Shield and (eventually) getting rid or Blue Square South side Worcester in the replay to progress to the first round proper of the Trophy. Winter started the following Saturday, though, with a 2-0 loss to league leaders King's Lynn. Given their strength (and their Norwich City players) I didn't expect anything else. The players, apparently, did, and their morale dropped a country mile.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">03/11/09 at Witton 4-1 (G: Poul Hübertz, Tom Clarke (2), Miroslav Zagorski)

07/11/09 vs Hinckley 1-1 (G: Tom Clarke) Att: 778

10/11/09 vs Harrogate SSN2 2-0 (G: Steve Pickford, Danny Holmes) Att: 207

21/11/09 at Worcester FATQ3 1-1 (G: Ben Turner)

25/11/09 vs Worcester FATQ3R3-1 (G: Daniel Gramtikov, Poul Hübertz, Kristian Dennis) Att: 222

28/11/09 vs King's Lynn 0-2 Att: 649</pre>

December

We managed just two wins in 8. FO season of goodwill

A win over Hinckley (again) in the Third Round of the Setanta competition paired us with Blue Square Premier opposition in Weymouth. Given that we were also scheduled to face similar opposition in the First Round of the Trophy in the same week, December should have been something to look forward to. A defeat away at AFC Telford and a bore draw at Blyth didn't help ticket sales, and we crashed out of both competitions 1-0 with an aggregate crowd of less than 400. We saved our best result of the month for our local rivals Alfreton, who must be really sick of seeing us as we beat them 3-1 at their place.

Come Boxing Day we gift wrapped a 1-0 home win for bottom of the league Solihull. Disgraceful.

Which just left Barrow, flying high and finishing off their year with a solid 2-1 win at the New Manor Ground. SUPER KYLE couldn't even get on the pitch, but they've found another super striker in Alex Titchener, who they have on loan from parent club Crewe.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">01/12/09 at Hinckley SSN3 2-1 (G: Poul Hübertz, Owen Story)

05/12/09 at AFC Telford 1-2 (G: Alex Rigley)

09/12/09 at Blyth 0-0

12/12/09 vs Southport FAT1 0-1 Att: 203

19/12/09 vs Weymouth SS4 0-1 Att: 195

23/12/09 at Alfreton 3-1 (G: Miroslav Zagorski, Poul Hübertz, Tom Clarke)

26/12/09 at Solihull M 0-1

30/12/09 vs Barrow 1-2 (G: Miroslav Zagorski) Att: 268</pre>

9th P24 W9 D8 L7 GD+6 Pts35

King's Lynn (Pts 54, Parent Norwich, Players on Loan 2) still lead by only 2 points from Bedford (52, Rochdale, 2). Then it's Barrow (48, Crewe & Carlisle, 3) and Leigh (46, none, none). Three points separate the next 4 clubs, and we're a further 5 behind in 9th.

Somehow, 5 of my playing staff manage to keep hold of greater than 7 average ratings. Now the group are dominated left wingers, with Alex Rigley and Mark King leading the list, and Lee Dodgson in 4th. Hubertz remains up there, but has had a poor couple of months in front of goal, whilst Bulgarian Trayanov creeps in for the first time on the back of three 8s in a row.

The only positive? It's time to think about contract renewals. There won't be many of them being offered.

[Rashidi]

Gricehead you're still in with a shout...these december periods get to me as well. Good luck

[rlipscombe]

Originally posted by rashidi1:

Gricehead you're still in with a shout...these december periods get to me as well. Good luck

yeah, i always seem to have a collapse in form through the winter. tend to start well, stop winning in the winter, and find myself playing catch up come the spring.....

[Donald-Duck]

I started over as Banbury since everyone was being Chippenham. Found it much harder to get players with just 100 less reputation and I am really depending on loans for my squad.

I have however won 4 out of 5, scoring 15 goals.

[3Sixty]

My collapse started in winter, and has lasted all spring

[dafuge]

Originally posted by MachinegunHead:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Matt6:

cheers, will give it a try once i get all this uni work done

Tell me about it! Exams are interrupting my Dafuging. Will be done on Saturday though, and knowing my luck the new patch will be out on Friday.

Just a question to all those who have had new stadiums built... have any of them been named after you, or have they all gone to players so far? Regardless, I'd love to hear the names of them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

In last year's challenge, AFC Wimbledon built 'Fuge Park'

[Rashidi]

I finally got my head around training, and now i don't get a dip in training nor do I get conditioning problems..headin into december with 95-100%. I just wish my performances were better...my last 5 matches were 2W 2D 1L.

[gfoley21]

Ready at last ....

Had the chance to pick from Chelmsford, Murthur Tydvil, Worcester, Marine, Witton, AFC Wimbledon but opted to go for the mighty ... EBBS FLEET mainly because i have never heard of them even in real life lol this is going to be tough!

[Matthew Le God]

Originally posted by gfoley21:

opted to go for the mighty ... EBBS FLEET mainly because i have never heard of them even in real life lol this is going to be tough!

they are quite famous after today

[gfoley21]

i ment to post http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/gfoley21/thebeginning.jpg

[spankie]

Originally posted by gfoley21:

Ready at last ....

Had the chance to pick from Chelmsford, Murthur Tydvil, Worcester, Marine, Witton, AFC Wimbledon but opted to go for the mighty ... EBBS FLEET mainly because i have never heard of them even in real life lol this is going to be tough!

Ebbsfleet are ineligible from this challenge as they started in the Conference National and must have been relegated in your game.

[3Sixty]

3Sixty's Chippenham Town Update 2015-2016

What a dirty, horrible, disgusting 2nd half of the season.

Went to a 13 game streak with out winning and only 2/3 of those were draw.

Somehow, i managed to beat high flying bolton on the last game of the season to end this run and save myself from relegation.

Table

It was all going so well early doors

League Graph

All my players lost form, but casper still managed an average a goal every other game, despite going more than 15 hours without 1.

Serious upgrading is needed, ill be back with a pre season update with new transfers etc..

[Allan]

Originally posted by Donald-Duck:

I started over as Banbury since everyone was being Chippenham. Found it much harder to get players with just 100 less reputation and I am really depending on loans for my squad.

I have however won 4 out of 5, scoring 15 goals.

Mon the Puritans!

Ive taken Banbury to League 2 so far. It can be tough going with the rep but it improves fast if you can get a few decent loan signings in for that 1st season.

[Donald-Duck]

Originally posted by Allan:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Donald-Duck:

I started over as Banbury since everyone was being Chippenham. Found it much harder to get players with just 100 less reputation and I am really depending on loans for my squad.

I have however won 4 out of 5, scoring 15 goals.

Best player has played 9 games and has 17 goals and 2 assists. I have 5 of coventrys reserves

Mon the Puritans!

Ive taken Banbury to League 2 so far. It can be tough going with the rep but it improves fast if you can get a few decent loan signings in for that 1st season. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[timers]

So I recently came across this thread, and found it to be a great challenge to take up in the new FM 08. I have much experience with FM, including both big name clubs, Juventus, Newcastle, and even LLM, as I brought lowly Newport Co to a full time squad in the Championship before quitting. Tactically, I play with a 4-4-2 Diamond Attacking, as I enjoy having an AMC get into the attack, but also enjoy the rearguard support and cutoff ability a DMC provides. I use a combination of Cleons individual instructions, Matt's training tactics (the new 08 ones), and my own team instructions, additional player instructions, scouting decisions, and opposition instructions. Ill try to summarize my success thus far, having just been promoted to the Blue Square Premier in my 2nd season at the helm.

2008/2009 - Tiverton Town - Blue Square South (22-10-10 - 76 PTS - 3rd Place)

This was my first season in charge, and expectations weren't too high. As many know, Tiverton Town has Plymouth as a parent club, so using them was vital to early on success. Originally, starting out, I was still trying to field the best eleven I could manage to find. I had a transfer budget of 0, and a wage budget of 4.6K. I ended up signing a legit staff, best I could, including physio, scout, GK coach, youth coach, coach, ass man, etc.

To summarize this season, I started off poor, losing 3-0, 5-0, etc. I couldn't figure out what was going on, or find my form. Eventually, I picked up a few young strikers from Plymouth, including Anthony Mason, Joe Mason, and Ashley Barnes. This coupled with some of their CB's, and AMR/L led to some decent results. I was using opposition instructions each game, and based off scout reports, was tactically spot on. I ended up going on a 17 match unbeaten run mid to late in the season, before losing to a team playing a 4-2-4 all game. It was unfortunate. Anyways, I soon jumped from 21st to mid-table, to playoff contention, before ending in 3rd. Right before the league fixtures ended, my star striker and highest scorer Anthony Mason got a bad hip injury, and without a specialist in my club, I had to terminate his loan so he could receive treatment at Plymouth. This was unfortunate, and back he went to Plymouth, out for 2-4 months.

Playoffs

Was playing Bath, the 4th place team, who I didn't do so hot in league with. First game, I was away, and squeezed out a 1-1 draw with out Mason, and a vital away goal. 2nd game, now at home, I went down 1-0 around the 75th minute, and pushing for the 2nd NEEDED goal, ended up losing 2-0. Dreams of promotion in my first season were crushed, and Bath ended up winning the next game, and being promoted. Back to the drawing board...another season in BSS.

2009/2010 - Tiverton Town - Blue Square South (31-8-3 - 101 PTS - 1st Place)

Back again for another season, and knowing that I could string together series of wins, and go undefeated for a long time, my confidence was high. I was expected to finish 6th, and without any increase in budgets, I used my loan options. Beauty of BSS is that there is no loan limits, or transfer date restrictions, so it seems. My immediate priority over the summer was to get Anthony Mason back, since he was lethal last season. Eventually, him and many others were back, as I was limited in the others I could sign. To say that I was a Plymouth U-18's/Reserve squad would be a near accurate description. I picked up Lloyd Saxton at the end of last season, and he was much better than my GK Howard. Saxon was also on loan from Plymouth.

Anyways, started off with a draw in league, but once again found form soon, and started producing solid wins. Some were close, only by 1 goal margins, (ie, 3-2, 4-3, etc), but a wins a win, and these were crucial as it later turned out. A Mason and J Mason immediately were making an impact, combining for a great amount of goals. I would play "Use Target Man" and "Use Playmaker". A Mason was my TM, and I would play Run Onto Ball EVERY game, as his speed was so effective against the LLM BSS defenders, and he loved getting into space. My AMC was given Free Role, and did well with this.

To summarize this season, I was in first, and stayed there for majority of the season. Made it to 4th round of Setanta Shield, and FA Trophy, only first round of FA Cup, but none of that was too important (only good for some $$$). I ended up beating my previous record of 17 games unbeaten, and went 18 unbeaten. As you can see below, I dominated the league, winning outright with 4 games in hand, and ending with 101 points, a new BSS record. Anthony Mason had FIFTY ONE goals in the BSS (new record as well, along with his 17 MOM's'), and was named Player of the Season, along with myself being named Manager of the Season. Him and I each won the monthly awards no more than 3 times throughout the year, and Mason had a 7.95 rating. My other strikers combined for another 50 goals or so, and tactically, I was even more spot on this season. Ended up 31-8-3, with 119 GF, 51 GA.

Im looking forward to the BSP now, and I am aware of the 4 player U23 loan restriction, so Ill try to manage.

Images are below, comments welcome

Manager Profile

Club Information

Staff

Transfers

Tactic (Positions)

Squad (End of Season, - a few loaned players)

League Table

Anthony Mason (Attributes)

Team Stats League

Manager of the Season

Player of the Season League (Anthony Mason)

Finance Confidence

Competitions Confidence

Overall Confidence

Taken at 1680x1050 resolution.

[Donald-Duck]

Originally posted by Donald-Duck:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Allan:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Donald-Duck:

I started over as Banbury since everyone was being Chippenham. Found it much harder to get players with just 100 less reputation and I am really depending on loans for my squad.

I have however won 4 out of 5, scoring 15 goals.

Mon the Puritans!

Ive taken Banbury to League 2 so far. It can be tough going with the rep but it improves fast if you can get a few decent loan signings in for that 1st season. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Best player has played 9 games and has 17 goals and 2 assists. I have 5 of coventrys reserves

Did it wrong first time

[gfoley21]

cheers spankie i just realsied that lol, oh f**k comes to mind!

[gfoley21]

ok try again its a bit of a kop out but afc wimbledon it is

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/gfoley21/thebeginning-1.jpg

[3Sixty]

3Sitxy's Chippenham Town Pre-season Update

Right, time for a new dawn at Chippenham 8 players that could be considered 1st team or fringe players are gone.

In come 3 new ones.

Transfers

Including Lukas who i went to school with

I plan to get in a few more, including a left back.

I started my pre-season with a mini tour of America played DC untied and lost 2-0 and Played LA galaxy and lost 2-1. Not the best of starts im sure you'll agree. I then played a game against my feeder club Solihull Moors, which i won 3-1.

I also got a new feeder club, some team in the German 2nd Division, they have given me loads of new countries in the teams knowledge section.

Going to cancel my link with Margate and hopefully get offered the same polish club i did earlier for work permit problems.

[kccircle]

CHELMSFORD - Season 12/13 League 2

I have yet to start the campaign but have managed to cancel my link with Charlton and set up another one with Chelsea. They are sending me a first rate left back which put me in a dilemma - Jonny Harkness, my current left back, has been with me from the start and scored free kicks galore. I'd play him at left mid but Chelsea sent me a left winger who is fantastic too.

My heart says to keep Harkness but the Chelsea kid is pretty darn good!

[spankie]

Originally posted by gfoley21:

ok try again its a bit of a kop out but afc wimbledon it is

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/gfoley21/thebeginning-1.jpg

IMO there's no such thing as a kop out in this challenge. The only minor advatage you'll ahve is a little extra cash and a slightly better reputation that will amke it easier to sign players.

The downside is that you'll already start with a lot of players, most of whom you would never have signed anyway and have to try to get rid of.

With a lower reputation team you'll have free rein to sign a whole new team and backroom staff to fit your playing style and ideas.

timers

I hope you left Plymouth with at least a couple of players

[timers]

Spankie: I only pulled from the Reserves and U18 squad, and even a few of them rejected going on loan to minnows Tiverton. It all worked out though. Mason's 51 goals proved effective enough.

[def]

Promotion, Relegation and LL Treble Success

It's been an eventful 5 years at Chippenham.

The first season saw us gain promotion via the play-offs.

The second season saw us miss out on the play-offs.

The third season was a disastrous campaign which saw us finish a disappointing 22nd and get relegated back to the South. Utterly devastated, I sold off half my squad. In hindsight, I probably should have kept on to a promising 20 y.o who would go on to be a Championship player.

The fourth season was the beginning of the revival.

Reverting back to the old and trusty target man approach, my explosive Caribbean striker who I almost sold off came up with the goods and bagged goal after goal supported by a rising Scottish 20 y.o star in the making. The defense was marshaled by another up and comer Jamaican defender who was targeted by Championship clubs all through the season. Being the ambitious lad that he was, at one point he was ready to move on but luckily enough, I had him for another year and he got his head down and concentrated on moving the club forward.

The league race was close and wasn't decided until after the final match. Having the advantage on GD, a win or draw would secure us the league. A loss could see us miss out by a point. We got the victory in the end, 2 nil up at HT and never looking like relinquishing the lead.

But we weren't done for the season yet. The Setanta Shield final awaited. It would be the BSS winner against the BSP winner. Chippenham vs Barnet. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be our day. A missed penalty and more chances wasted and we were made to pay by a lucky Barnet side who scored with their only shot on target. Awful!

The fifth and final year of my contract would be my best season ever.

The existing squad was reinforced by a few more signings. A new partnership with Championship side Reading saw another explosive winger join the side displacing the club favourite Junior Brown who had been reliable over the past 4 years. A couple more loans came through but they struggled to break into the senior team and were left to the reserve fixtures. The squad oozed quality such that I had 2 BSP teams in one. The rotation policy was put into action with no drop in performance. The All Blacks tried it and it failed them when it mattered. I had no intention of my team repeating that. All through the season I ironed out any thoughts of overconfidence in the team. Every team was treated with respect.

By mid-season we were sitting pretty at the top and after 42 games, we had the opportunity to secure the league with a win (or draw) over our only challenger, Torquay. Both teams had been undefeated for a while and both had scored over a 100 goals each. It would be the showdown between the leagues top goal scorers. Goals aplenty were predicted for the match. Having trounced them 7 nil earlier in the season, I warned the boys about complacency - and the boys delivered. Within an hour we were cruising. 6-1 ahead and the league secured. 2 late goals were conceded but that was mere consolation. Surprisingly, both the league's top goal scorers failed to score.

With the title in the bag, we put our thoughts into our next 2 big games. The Setanta Shield final and the FA Trophy final.

SS Final: Chippenham v Kettering

After losing the previous final which we should have won, this year would be our redemption. We almost faltered in the semi-final against MK Dons. Down a goal at the break, the boys came together to win 4-2. What a turnaround that was. The Chippenham captain attributed that to my words at half-time. Our explosive Caribbean striker wasn't in form that day and I was concerned he would choke in the final as he did the previous year. And that he did. Thankfully, we were playing relegation threatened Kettering and dominated the match. The 2-0 victory failed to reflect our dominance.

FAT Final: Chippenham v Rochdale

We breezed through the semi-finals against Dag & Red winning 7-2 on aggregate. Rochdale would prove a much tougher opposition. Having only beaten them once in our last 5 meetings or so, the cards were stacked against us. As the only team to start with a 4-3-2-1 formation, we knew the defense would have to be at their best. Their keeper was also a nemesis. The return from injury of our first choice fullback was a morale booster.

The first half was tense and we went into the break nil all. The Caribbean international was again missing gifted chances and I started to wonder if he had it in him. I willed the boys to give their best and we went into the 2nd half in high spirits. That quickly turned into despair in the 54th minute after a keeper bound shot deflected twice off two defenders and into the net. An own goal by non other than the fullback! Should I have stuck with the replacement fullback who was doing a decent job for the past 3 games? The thought came to haunt me.

Nevertheless we persevered as we went full out on attack. Chances came and went and I thought about replacing the under-performing Caribbean striker who kept missing chance after chance. The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minutes. The loan from Reading who had been in exceptional form this season with a season high 22 assists broke down the wing, cut in and layed a beautiful cross onto my Scottish target man who lashed it home with a powerful header - and we were back in it!

After 90 minutes, extra time beckoned. With 15 minutes left, I made a gamble and brought off the tired Scot. The Caribbean was still missing chances but I knew I just could not bring him off. 3 minutes remaining and the replacement target man was in the box. The loan from Reading headed the ball his way from a deep cross and he in turn layed it off for the Caribbean. 3 defenders stranded, 1 keeper to beat. He shoots! He scores! We win! An absolutely ******* beautiful match to end the season. C'mon The Bluebirds!!!

BSP League Table

Setanta Shield Final

FA Trophy Final

[Annihilator666]

Annihilator666 - Merthyr Tydfil - Season 11/12 - Blue Square Premier

Manager Profile - Manager Profile

Table - League Table | Position Graph

Results - Results #1 | Results #2

Transfers - Transfers Summary

Finances - Finance Summary

Top Scorer - Alan Neilson

Fans' Player of the Year - James Dunn

Records - Team Overall Records | Team Season Records

After a slow start in the league, we hit the top after twenty games and never looked back. Hereford were close behind, up until February/March, when they had a bad run of results. We didn't really have any impact in the cups at all, the best run being to the Quarter Finals of the Sentanta Shield.

Also, there's already been a few players asking to move to bigger clubs, so it's gonna be tough to hold onto my best players for the next season.

[gfoley21]

Pre season started with a 1-0 home win against FC United, although we should have won by more.

My second pre season game was home to Notts county. A 3-0 loss to worthy winners

Ok hard work begins now, I had redbridge away (feeder club) and lost 4-0 I better start looking at things closely!

I tweekd a few things and things were going well 1-1 at half time with Hyde, but the defender miss kicked the ball and the striker scored a late winner loosing 2-1

Having fully looked at the squad and bringing in a good keeper I came back strong to finish pre season with a 5-1 away win at Gresley.

[Morto]

Started this like a week ago, went with Matlock Town. Fukced about at the start with a load of crappy formations and what not, leaving me hovering above the relegation zone. Thehn brought in a few awesome players including my keeper and made a simple tactic. Currently 17 games unbeaten but it still only leaves me 8th or so thanks to my poor start.

[gfoley21]

1st Game of the season saw me play Chelmsford at home which I won

3-0

My second game saw my team throw away a 2-1 lead to loose 5-2 but then again they did send on a guy who scored 4 goals :S

My next win came against bottom club fisher, 3-1

Good character from my team as they came from 1-0 behind

The media predicted an easy game yet I went down 1-0 to Cambridge city

The inconsistencies continued as I won away 2-1 at Hayes

My final game at the end of august saw me ground out a 1-1 draw home to st albans

So far 6th Position P6 W3 D1 L2 pts 10 not a bad start just need consistency

[Annihilator666]

Originally posted by Annihilator666:

Annihilator666 - Merthyr Tydfil - Season 11/12 - Blue Square Premier

Manager Profile - Manager Profile

Table - League Table | Position Graph

Results - Results #1 | Results #2

Transfers - Transfers Summary

Finances - Finance Summary

Top Scorer - Alan Neilson

Fans' Player of the Year - James Dunn

Records - Team Overall Records | Team Season Records

After a slow start in the league, we hit the top after twenty games and never looked back. Hereford were close behind, up until February/March, when they had a bad run of results. We didn't really have any impact in the cups at all, the best run being to the Quarter Finals of the Sentanta Shield.

Also, there's already been a few players asking to move to bigger clubs, so it's gonna be tough to hold onto my best players for the next season.

Bah, my game crashed and I'd last saved it with two games to go in the season. Not much changed when I replayed those two games: Neilson scored one less goal, and Wrexham won the Playoffs rather than York...

[Boskovic]

i might give this a go, i have a few games already running tho.

may aswell at least start it and see how things go.

[Rashidi]

Gloucester City Tigers Toothless in LL2

LL2 League Table

The season in LL2 is now 17 games old, we made some purchases during the pre and still have 100k in the kitty which I am tempted to spend on some supergood midfield player whom my scouts haven't found yet.

Our record hasn't been fantastic, the only reason why we're still fighting at the top of the table is because of our defensive record which is amazing 9 goals conceded in 17 matches. We have been grinding out results, and lately the only result I see is 1 nil.

Our home record is good, but away from home we never seem to be able to produce the goods, our last few away matches have only produced draws, perhaps the best of the lot, coming back from 2 down to snag a point.

My observations thus far have been that my much vaunted McDermott and Marshall combo has failed to ignite, nary a spark has been seen. We're still hanging on and grinding out results. If we maintain this perhaps we're still in with a shout.

There's a long way to go yet, and the press thinks we'll slip up, sometimes so do I. It gets really annoying when you see your striker one on one with the keeper and do everything possible to miss. We even had a penalty taken from a 14 that was sent straight to the keeper.

We'll probably need a big win soon, perhaps I shall switch to another tactic a 442...i hate it when things like that are forced on me. Should I stick to the current game plan or go chasing for gold? We're heading into december now, a crucial time when players get worn out. So training loads have been reduced.

The chairman still insists that we do not need a parent club. Makes me wanna **** all over him, but then again this does make it a lot more challenging. Loans have been kept to a minimum and only done with players my scouts have returned with. So for one loan player has been central to my team...lets call him Stopforth II.

Well back to my grind again...once again good luck with you. May the 'fuge be with ya

[Rashidi]

Another 0-0 draw against Brighton...we had the lions share of possession but were too timid in front of goal...argggh!

[MachinegunHead]

Originally posted by rashidi1:

Another 0-0 draw against Brighton...we had the lions share of possession but were too timid in front of goal...argggh!

Well, there's your problem

I'm about a third of the way into my 4th season at Matlock, and after losing the first couple of games, I decided to change tactics. I reverted back to the most basic tactic ever, 442(attacking) with all sliders neutral, and suddenly my team are charging their way up the table. Looks like I'll jump back up to the BSP as fast as I fell down.

[Rashidi]

Toothless Tigers that's what we are right now

[andy139s]

promotion secured through playoff final

will post season update in abit

[andy139s]

well finished 1st season in 2nd but should have been top was 1st after 39 games but slip up in last 3 games drawing rather than winning which cost me automatic promotion but still won playoff with a gutsy performance in final so here we come BSP

When i took over had 4 youth players and no staff i now have a good team of backroom staff and also a small but good squad

but had to do some tinkering so bought in around 25 players and released a few who just weren't upto the job there wasn't really a star player for us as it was an overall team effort that won promotion but this guy just for his stats deserves the teams player of season award

and on a good note the board like what im doing at club as proved by their confidence in me also the club had a good run in cups especially as we got to 1st round proper of FA Cup where we had a money spinning home tie against Wycombe which helped the club finances leading to a profit of just over £270,000 so hopefully will get a transfer budget next season and last but not least my profile

plans for next season to improve squad, consolidate postion in BSP and try to get to either setanta or FA trophy finals and possibly into 2nd round of FA Cup

[joshpmilton]

Margate - Blue Square South - End of Season Update

So, after the a terrible pre-season and a takeover I managed to keep my job by winning 2-1 away at Eastbourne on day one and then thumping Hitchin in a personal best scoreline. However, form soon dipped and I slide down the league to mid-table, which frankly was better than I'd expected after my pre-season. Some luck in the FA Trophy saw us over come Blue Square Premier side Altrincham in a replay before eventually going out away to Premier Weymouth in a good performance.

This sparked a dramatic slide again, and I struggled to pick up any points at all, which eventually ended in relegation. To really rub salt into the wounds, I finished bottom due to results on the last day.

The main problem was lack of a parent club. Every time my request was dismissed, and we just didn't have the bit of class that would have brought. That and our defence was like a sieve. We scored plenty, but conceded far too many.

League Table

Position Chart

Once relegation was confirmed, I did sell some players for some decent cash, so not all the squad used is here, but this is largely The Squad.

Our top scorer/best performer this season, The Dax Man.

My far from perfect profile.

[joshpmilton]

Sorry about the double post, forgot the clubs Transfer history.

[Gricehead]

Life at the New Manor Ground - Season 2

2009/10 in the Blue Square North. January/February update.

Yawn. This is getting boring now. Just like last season, all of a sudden none of my tactics work, we can't buy consistency. We can beat top teams comfortably, and get hammered by the bottom side the following weekend. At least our games have been entertaining. Number of goals: 5;5;6;4;4;1;0;5;5. Net result, a drop of another 2 league places.

January

At least being out of all the cup competitions meant I didn't have to cope with New Year fixture congestion. But having lost the last two games of 2009, I wasn't confident for the visit of 2nd place Bedford. I was rescued by Tom Clarke (with 2) and (rarity in itself) Steve Pickford as we valiantly kept ahead of the on form visitors. High after that result, we hammered Tamworth in front of our own fans, including another brace from Clarke, but that would be the last victory of the month. Maybe we were complacent going to Cmabridgeshire to face basement club Histon. Sure, Tom Clarke got another pair, but Mr Trayanov contributed to our downfall with an own goal. Histon scored four in total before half time, and there was no way back.

Matches against two Greater Manchester sides concluded the month; at home to Altrincham and away to Stalybridge. The results, and performances, were identical, with Mr Zagorski scoring his own brace in each game, only to see two goals fly in at the other end.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">02/01/10 vs Bedford 3-2 (G: Steve Pickford, Tom Clarke (2)) Att: 312

09/01/10 vs Tamworth 4-1 (G: Tom Clarke (2), Danny Holmes, Kristian Dennis) Att: 256

16/01/10 at Histon 2-4 (G: Tom Clarke (2))

23/01/10 vs Altrincham 2-2 (G: Mirsolav Zagorski (2)) Att: 327

30/01/10 at Stalybridge 2-2 (G: Miroslav Zagorski (2))</pre>

February

Our unbeaten run extende to a massive 4 games(!) as we beat struggling Gateshead by a single Tom Clarke goal and held Boston to a draw in a battle for 8th place. That game cost us dearly, though, with our top striker straining knee ligaments and probably missing most of the rest of the season. I think that was the final straw for the team's morale. We tried to retain the 4-3-3 system without Tom, but were beaten 4-1 at home to 3rd placed Leigh. Reverting to 4-4-2 for the final game of the month we were, of course, beaten 4-1 at home by not-so-high-flying Hyde.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">06/02/10 vs Gateshead 1-0 (G: Tom Clarke) Att: 214

13/02/10 at Boston 0-0

20/02/10 vs Leigh 1-4 (G: Miroslav Zagorski) Att: 446

27/02/10 vs Hyde 1-4 (G: Juan Ugarte) Att: 329</pre>

11th P33 W12 D11 L10 GD+3 Pts47

We need more than 7 points from our last 9 games to actually improve on last season, although I think even that will see us finish in a lower league position. As I promised the board a top half finish this season, in exchange for a little extra wage money, we'd better get our fingers out!

King's Lynn (78) are now 9 points clear at the top, and looking certainties for promotion, but they are now pursued by Leigh (69) and Barrow (68), with Bedford (63) having fallen to pieces since we beat them. Droyslden (60) occupy the final playoff place, which at 13 points ahead of us more or less rules us out.

Ratings have (finally) dropped, with only four players having greater than 7 average. Of those, Lee Dodgson (7.10) and Alex Rigley (7.09) have played only 10 and 11 games resepctively. Loanee Mark King (7.06) is the top "full time" player, and the list is completed by Poul Hübertz (7.03) despite the Dane not having scored a goal for two months.

There are, quite simply, no positives. Bring on the next patch.

[joshpmilton]

Out of interest, how does the site take into consideration sackings? I don't want to start all over again, but it seems I have no choice if I want to keep the dafugechallenge site updated?

[BluesBot]

Bluesbots Halesowen Challenge - Season 09/10

The expectations were higher this season after Halesowen had finished 2nd last season and had lost in the play off semi final and the board were expecting the team to challenge for promotion

The Yeltz had a mediocre start to the season after manager Bluesbot decided to strip the dead wood from the side, however bids for some of the stars from the 1st season meant that the side started the season with a skeleton crew and a lack of options from the scouts meant that the manager had to go out and find his own players.

Alas the scouts were fired and better ones put in place

Transfers 09/10

This was to be the 1st full season that manager Bluesbot would be solely in charge of tactics - no outside help and his limited knowledge did stand up to the test over the season although they did need tweaking now and again.

The yeltz finished 3rd after again having a poor finish, there was a chance of going for the title but some good earlier form failed.

Final Table 09/10

Graph 09/10

However the Yeltz picked up enough to beat Kettering in the Playoff semi final although after drawing 2-2 and 1-1 Haleswowen managed to win on penalties

The Final was another matter. Halesowen started brightly taking the lead but Burton found their feet and went 2-1 ahead.

The yeltz were still in the game and equalised but after an hour the side completley lost the plot and Burton put another 3 past the yeltz keeper to record a fine 5-2 win.

The Final

Stats for the BSN top players

Manager Overview 09/10

Next season will give manager Bluesbot a chances to learn from his mistakes of this season and add more quality to the sqaud

[gfoley21]

im sure you can carry on providing you pick a team that was still unplayable before just check the team history to find out

[Top Gooner]

Banbury Utd 09/10 - Review

After coming 2nd in the BS South last year and getting thrashed in the playoffs I went about exploiting the divisions lack of loanee restrictions and took on board a dozen playes from my parent club Coventry.

Burtoft was the pick of the bunch and helped us win the league in style...

GRAPH

This season will be hard because I forgot about the loan restrictions to start with and the first 4 loanees werent the strongest 4 i could have had but I'm stuck with them the whole season now.. I'll be happy with mid table this year then promotion hopefully year after.. see you soon!

[Rashidi]

A comeback of legendary proportions

Huddersfield v Gloucester City

If there's any counterarguments to all the moaners out there about how impossible this game is..then this screenshot says it all. It's all down to you!

I couldn't believe how they played after the break!

[migwar]

rashidi

nice work

i had a very similar experience last night, but i actually went 2-0 down in 15 minutes, then came back with 4 in the last 20...

i'll put the screencap up tonight

[Rashidi]

Ok two big wins...at least for us...a big come from behind against Huddersfield and then 10 men take a one nil win against table toppers Rotherham. Things may be looking up.

[adamc81]

Hey guys and gals. Have never done a challenge before but liked the look of this so thought i'd give it a go and see how well i could do.

Hopefully the link will work.

Bedford

I've taken on board a few tips in this thread as i've never managed below league 2 before so thanks for the info.

I've taken over Bedford Town and i'm hoping i'll get promotion within 2 seasons.

Wish me luck, im gonna need it!

[Matthew Le God]

Matthew Le God - AFC Wimbledon (now in League Two 2012/13

2010/11 Table Mid Table consolidation in Blue Square Premier

2010/11 Squad

My biggest game came in the FA Cup 3rd round against Man Utd

2011/12 Table Promotion came on the last day. I was 3rd on the morning of the last day of the season. The top team played that in 3rd place and a last minute equaliser in that game meant I won the league and promotion to League 2

2011/12 Squad

[joshpmilton]

After failing horribly with Margate, here comes attempt number 2. This time gone for the 'easier' task of AFC Wimbledon, as I've had success with them in the past.

My Profile.